Herr, defense help Panthers top Pennington
By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
Even through a rough patch, Brooks Herr didn’t lose faith in the Princeton Day School boys ice hockey team.
The junior defenseman scored a goal to help the Panthers snap a six-game losing streak with a 3-0 win over Pennington on Monday. And while the Red Raiders weren’t at the same level as some of PDS’ opponents this season, the Panthers will take the win.
”We really needed one,” said Herr, who tallied the second of three second-period goals in the win to give the Panthers some breathing room. Nick Jabs saved 31 saves for PDS, which improved to 3-9 with the win.
”Really, except for the Bishop Eustace loss, we’ve been able to stay competitive in every game,” Herr said. “A few minutes in the beginning of the third period where we came out flat have cost us against Hun, DaMatha and Landon. We knew if we could play one full complete hockey game, we could get a W.”
Herr has been a help in the back for the Panthers. He and Theo Casey are the most veteran of the defenseman on the team. The two juniors are trying to anchor the defense on a team that has been hit hard by graduations and defections recently.
”We’re definitely thinner than we have been in the past,” Herr said. “We’re definitely younger. My freshman year, there were four freshmen on the team, and one or two saw playing time. This year, we’re laden with freshman and sophomores and they’re expected to contribute.”
Being thinner has cost the Panthers. In the past, PDS used the third period to pull improbable upsets and comebacks, but it’s harder to do without as much offensive firepower as usual. John Inman, a senior forward, has been productive and scored a goal Monday, and sophomore Skye Samse, who scored the game-winner, is one of the young players being counted on this season. It is the veterans that the Panthers lean on the most.
”It’s definitely put more pressure on the seniors and juniors,” Herr said. “Nick Jabs has played real well in goal. John and Spencer (Gabin) are carrying the offense. And Theo and I are logging a lot of minutes on defense. We’re getting a lot of help out of some of the younger guys. Vincent DeMilio and Garrett Jensen are showing they’re varsity material.”
Herr was able to contribute as a freshman forward, but was moved to defense last year. The Princeton resident returns this year as a more seasoned player in the back.
”He came in my first year here,” said PDS head coach Scott Bertoli, whose team beat Academy of New Church, 3-1, on Wednesday to improve to 4-9. “He was brought in to play forward. Knowing I was going to be thin on the back line last year, he was willing to make the transition. He worked to improve as a defenseman. He and Theo Casey are only juniors, and they’re supposed to log a lot of time.”
Herr has accepted his role. Bertoli is hoping that other players can learn their roles to make the Panthers a stronger team. Herr has seen improvements at his end of the ice with players figuring out how they can help the most.
”Early in the season, we had a lot of trouble in the defensive zone getting the puck out,” he said. “Now we’re doing a better job of winning the battle of the boards. We had a couple players step up to become grinders and help us be able to get the puck out of our zone.”
Herr hasn’t just helped on defense. He still remembers how to play offense, as he did Monday in contributing with a picturesque goal.
”It was really nice to score,” he said. “As a defenseman, you don’t get a chance to score as much. When you get a chance, it’s nice to capitalize on it.
”We were on a power play, so there was a lot of extra room on the ice. I picked it up behind our goal, skated down the ice, beat one defenseman and it went in the net.”
Not much else is coming as easily. PDS has maintained a top-notch schedule, and today takes on perennial power Seton Hall Prep.
”Those are the types of teams we want to keep on our schedule,” Bertoli said. “They’re probably an older group of players with more experience. If we play and stick to our systems that make us successful, we can play with those teams. We had a little more scoring punch last year, which allowed us to come from behind, but if this team understands how it has to play to compete, we can be successful.”
Herr knows it can. Even through a tough stretch, he has seen improvement in the newcomers and the Panthers are starting to understand where they can get contributions. It could come together just in time for PDS.
”I really think the freshmen have figured out what they have to do to win a game,” Herr said. “I feel we could go deep into the prep and Mercer County Tournament this year. I don’t think there’s a reason we shouldn’t be back in the championship game for either of those.”

